Electric timer



Nov. 6 1923. 1,472,780

H. M. APPELGATE ELECTRIC TIMER Filed Sept. 27, i922' Patented Nov. 6,1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERLIN M. APPELGATE,l or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AssreNoR 0E oNEsHALE rroIRVING WARNER, or-NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC TIMER.

Application tiled September 27, 1922. Serial No. 590,865.

To all 'whom it may concern: i*

Be it known that I, HERLIN M. APPEL- eA'rE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of New York, borough. of Brooklyn, in thecountyof Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in an Electric Timer, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to a class of devices adapted to be used inconjuction with the ignition system especially of internal combustionengines.

My invention has for its object primarily to provide a timer designed tobe employed in the electric system when provided for igniting thegaseous fuel products of an internal combustion engine so that theintermittent sparking of the electric plugs of the engine will beeifectually accomplished by the device being operated b-y the crankshaft of the engine so that the delivery of the electric current to theplugs will be properly timed relative to determined positions of thepiston of the engine during its reciprocation. The invention alsocontemplates an improved form of the device disclosed in my pendingapplication for a patent, serially numbered `506,978

Filed October 11, 1921, by being composed of parts so formed` andarranged that the device may be made at aminimum cost as kwell ascapable of being readily mounted on the engine shaft for operation in amanner whereby a uniform sparking of the plugA will be accomplished atdetermined intervals through the provision of threepoint wiping contactsbetween conductive surfaces for intermittently closing the circuit,instead of the usual provision for making only one-point contacts whichfrequently collect oil or grease that cause unsteady sparking of theplug with consequent uneven firing of the fuel products owing lto arcingof the current.

A. further object of the invention `is to provide an electric timer of asimple, eflicient and durable construction which may be made in anysuitable size and shape.

VVith these and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafteri more fully explained with reference tothe accompanying drawing forminga part of this specification in which similar characters of refer-` enceindicate corresponding parts in all the' views, and will then be pointedout in the claims at theend of the description.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section, partlyfragmentary and partly in detail, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2. y

Fig. 2. is a detail sectional view, partly fragmentary, taken on theline 2-2 of Fig. 1, and

' Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the lineB-B of Fig. 1.`

The device or timer has a casing or cap 10 which may be ofv any suitableshape and size, though the form of the casing shown is somewhatcup-shaped to provide a curved or tapered plate or wall, as 11, with astraight annularange or wall as 12, on its edge extending from theconcaved face of theplate. rlhis casing is of a size so that whenarranged over the yend of the cam shaft, as 13, of an internalcombustion.

engine with the shaft extending into the center of the concavity of thecasing, as illustrated, the annular iiange 12 of the casing will bespaced some distance from the shaft. Protruding inwardly of the casingfrom the flange 12 is an annular rail or rib 14 ofibre or otherappropriate insulating material. The insulating rail is preferablysubstantially rectangular, in crosssection, as well as being of awidthand of a diameter so that its inner periphery is also spaced from theconductive shaft 13. The rail 14: is also arranged on the flange 12 ofthe casing 10 so that its inner face and both side faces are exposed,and in equidistant spaced parts of the annular insulating rail areembedded correspondingly electric contacts or conductive blocks, as 15.While any1` desiredy Vnumber of these conductive blocks may be used, inthe form of the device shown there are four of the blocks, and eachblock is substantially rectangular. The blocks are of sizes as well asbeing curved so that their inner faces and side edges are flush with theside faces and inner periphery of the rail. The conductive blocks 15 areadapted to be interposed in an yelectric circuit by appropriate bindingposts, as 16, each of which leads from each of the blocks through theinsulating rail 11i and through holes in casing so that they extend fromthe iiange 12 of the casing for being Vconnected to the conductive wiresof a source of electrical energy, the wires also lll) dll

leading to the spark plugs oli one or more cylinders ot' an internalcombustion engine, not shown. These parts of the device may be oit wellknown forms.

On part ot the fla-nge 12 of the casing 1G is a clamp, as 17, adapted todetachably tasten the casing with the rail 1l and conductive blocks 15to a rod, as 13, which is adjustable for adjusting the casing, railconductive blocks circumterentially of the cam shaft 13 when the ldeviceis in use. The clamp 17 is preferably composed ot two spaced springprongs 19 and 2O Yhaving one of their ends secured, at 21, to the casingso that their other ends protrude laterally from the casing. The secondend parts of the prongs are oppositely curved, as at 22, :tor removablyreceiving one end of the rod 18 to support the casing ir a dependingposition for adjustment common to the employment of this type of devicetor advancing and retarding the sparking of electric plugs, and the rodis releasably clamped in the prongs by a set screw 23 which is rotatablein registered threaded holes provided in the central parts of theprongs.

In order to cause the circuit in which the device is interposed to beintermittently closed for sparking the plugs at intervals a conductiverotary member or metal roller, as 2l, is provided. This conductiveroller is peripherally grooved, as at 25, to provide on the edges of theroller two annular flanges 26 and 27, and the groove is ci a widthslightly less than the widths of the conductive blocks 15 as well asbeing slightly less than the width ot the insulating rail 14. The rolleris divided lengthwise centrally of the bottom oit the groove intohalves, as 28 and 29, and in the inner i'ace of the halt 29 is a soclret30, while on a corresponding part ol the inner tace oli the halt 28 is aprotruding pin or lug 31 which is normally seated removably in thesocket ot the half 29 to cause the halves to revolve in unison when theroller is revolved. The roller is rotatably mounted on a conductive stud31 having its ends held to the ends ot two parallel spaced liatconductive bars 32 and 33 so that the roller is rotatable between thesebars, and the roller is of a width so that the outer faces of its halvesare spaced from the bars 32 and 33 for allowing the halves to be spreadapart on the stud Sullicient distance whereby the pin 31 may be removedfrom the socket and contacted with the inner face of the socketed halt29 for holding the halves orP the roller in spaced relation, as will behereinafter more fully explained. Between the second ends oft the bars32 and 33 is a tiXed rod 34, and between the central parts of the barsis held another conductive rod 35. On the end portions of both of therods 34 and 35 are held the ends of flat metal strip springs, as 36 and37, having on their other ends partially circular enlarged tlatportions, as 33 and 39, and in the central parts o't these enlargedportions are registered holes through which pass the end portions ot thestud of the roller 2li. rl`he springs 3G and 37 are thereby disposedbetween the bars 32 and 33 and the outer i'iaces ot the roller, andthese" springs are tensioned to yieldingly torce the halves ot therollers normally toiif'ard each other. @n the central part ot the rod isrotatably held the apertured ends of two spaced lugs 4t2 and ot aconductive bracket, as and the other ends oi' the lugs are bridged, asat lle. This bracket is, therefore, substantially U-shaped, and thebridging member l--l ot the bracket is held to the central part of theexterior ot a conductive sleeve e5 adapted to be suitably fastened, asat 4G, to the shatt- 13 or" the engine. The bracket 113 is disposedrelative to the sleeve l5 on an incline toward the insulating rail 111,and the spaced bars 32 and 33 are thereby disposed tangentiallycrosswise ol" the sleeve so that the conductive roller 211- will beproperly positioned for traveling on the rail. The'A roller 24 isyieldingly held in revolvable engagementwith the rail by the 'tension otone or two springs, as 117 and 4:3, having one ot their ends held to therod 3e oit the bars 32 and 33, while the other ends ot the spring aretas-tened, at and 50, to part of the sleeve 415 so that the action otthe springs normally serve to torce one ot the ends ot the bars 32 and33 toward the sleeve t5 with the other ends of the bars being yieldinglyforced toward the rail 1411 which in turn will yieldingly hold theroller 24 in straddle arrangement on the rail so that the bottom ot' the-groove 25 with its side walls or flanges 26 and 2T will. malte a wipingcontact with the inner 'Faces and side edges ol the coni'luctive bloclrs15, in order that liability ot interruptions occurring in the circuitfrom oil or ,crease collecting on the blocks will be avoided as isincident to the use ot timers ot this class.

As the annular rail 1,4.- must be ot a given diameter so that theconductive contact blocks 15 will be spaced at determined intervals thespace between the rail and shaft 13 is limited, and 'to permit theroller 24 to be readily arranged on the rail thc socket 30 and pin 31are provided on the halves 23 and 29 oit the roller. As hereinbe'loreeX- plaincd, this is accomplished by spacing the halves ol! the rollerso that the pin 31 is rcmoved Ytrom the socket 30, and by partiallyrotating' one et the halves of the roller the end ot the pin will engagethe inner tace of the sockcted hall. `The roller may then be easilydisposed in straddling position on the inner tace ot the rail 14:, alsoas above eX- plained, so that with. the driving of the shaft 13 thesleeve 45, lbrackett, bars 32v and will be revolvably swung to'cause theconductive roller to close the electric circuit in the well knownmanner, through the conductive `blocks l'and through the binding postsi6 to thek plugs'of an internal combustion engine for intermittentlysparking the plugs, and I have foundthatfthe provision of the straightbars'a'nd, instead of using curved `bars,"enabled the device to bemanufactured at a very reasonable cost.

In the foregoing description, I have embodied the preferred form of myinvention, but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myselfthereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the principle or sacrilicing any of the advantages ofthis invention, therefore, I reserve to myself the right to make suchchanges as fairly fall within the scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In a timer as characterized, the combination withan insulating annular rail having spaced embedded conductive blocks,each with three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed inan electric circuit, of a peripherally grooved conductive roller dividedlengthwise into halves, one having a. socket and the other having aprotruding pin for removable insertion into the socket.

2. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulatingannular rail having four spaced embedded conductive blocks, each withthree exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in anelectric circuit, of a peripherally grooved conductive roller dividedlengthwise into halves, one having a socket and the other having aprotruding pin for removable insertion into the socket, and springcontrolled conductive means revolvably carrying the roller and adaptedto be conductively fastened on the conductive shaft. j

3. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulatingannular rail hav ing four spaced embedded conductive blocks, each withthree exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in anelectric circuit, of clamping prongs for detachably engaging a movablerod whereby the rail and blocks may be supported forrotatable adjustmentsurrounding a conductive shaft by adjusting the rod, a peripherallygrooved conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves, one having asocket and the other having a protruding pin for re movable insertioninto the socket, and spring controlled conductive means revolvablycarrying the roller and adapted to be conductively fastened on theconductive shaft.y

4. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulatingannular rail having four yspacedl embedded conductive blocks, each withthree exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed. in anelectric circuit, of a peripherally grooved conductive roller dividedlengthwise into halves, one having` a socket and the other having aYprotruding pin for removable insertion into the socket, a conductivesleeve adapted to be fastened on the conductive shaft of a combustionengine, and two con* ductive straight bars yieldingly bracketed to thesleeve tangentially with relation thereto and the bars rotatablycarryingsaid roller. j A

5. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulatingannular rail having four spaced embedded conductive blocks, each withthree exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in anelectric circuit, of clamping prongs for detachably engaging a movablerod whereby the rail and blocks may be supported for rotatableadjustment surrounding a conductive shaft by adjusting the rod, aperipherally grooved conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves,one lia-ving a socket and the other having a protruding pin forremovable insertion into the socket, a conductive sleeve adapted to befastened on the conductivev shaft of a combustion engine, and twoconductive straight bars yieldingly bracketed to the sleeve tangentiallywith relation thereto and the bars rotatably carrying said roller.

6. In a timer as characterized, in combination, a casing having on itsinterior an insulating annular rail with four spaced embedded conductiveblocks each having three exposed faces and each block adapted to beinterposed in an electric circuit, and a peripherally grooved conductiveroller divided lengthwise into halves, one having a socket and the otherhaving a protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket.

7. In a timer as characterized, in combination, a casing having on itsinterior an insulating annular rail with four spaced embedded conductiveblocks, each having three exposed faces and each block adapted to beinterposed in an electric circuit, clamping prongs for detachablyengaging a movable rod whereby the rail and blocks may be supported forrotatable adjustment surrounding a conductive sha-ft by adjusting` therod, and a. peripherally grooved conductive .roller divided lengthwiseinto halves, one having a socket .and the other having a protruding pinfor removable insertion into the socket.

8. In a timer as characterized, in combination, a casing having on itsinterior an insulating annular rail with four spaced embedded4conductive blocks, each having three exposed faces and each blockadapted to be interposed in an electric circuit, clamp,

ing prongs for detachably engaging a movable rod whereby the rail andblocks may be supported for rotatable adjustment surrounding aconductive shaft by adjusting the rod, a peripherally grooved Conductiveroller divided lengthwise into halves, one having a socket and the otherhaving a protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket, andspring Controlled conductive means revolvably carrying the roller and 10adapted to be condnetively fastened on the conductive sha-ift.

lThis specification signed and witnessed this 26th day of September, A.D. 1922.

HERLIN M. APPELGATE. Witnesses:

S. ZUCKER, J. FREDERICK CRYER.

